MALALANE  – The contract workers are fruit pickers on Tulloh Farm about 13km east of Malalane.

Nineteen people died at the scene,  and a twentieth while being rushed to hospital.

Late yesterday afternoon it was confirmed that the death toll had risen to 26.

Provincial police spokesman Colonel Leonard Hlathi said the truck driver would face murder charges in the  Tonga Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The entrance to the farm is situated on the north side of the N4, which runs parallel to the train track. The train was traveling in an easterly direction and was destined for Maputo Harbour.

A horrific scene greeted emergency workers with bodies and body parts strewn along the track and under the train. Limbs were amputated and bodies mangled beyond recognition by the impact.
Survivors were still dazed and in shock from the accident.

They did not see what happened as they were transported in the back of an enclosed truck.

The driver and his cab passenger were not hurt.

It appears that the point of impact was right behind the cab of the truck.  The train dragged the truck 200 metres along the line.

According to a press release from the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, 24 injured people were transported to Shongwe, Tonga and Rob Ferreira Hospitals.

Numerous ambulances  had to make several trips to transport the injured.

At the crossing the N4 was cleared of cars and onlookers as a helicopter from Nelspruit emergency services landed to carry off more of the injured.

The road was closed for about two and a half hours with police, traffic and first-aid workers swarming the scene. More paramedics and equipment were constantly called for.

After the injured were removed from the scene, forensic experts cordoned off the area.